Discourses - Book II   

who are they, think you? Are they not sons of Gods, or compounded of
gods and men?" When Anytus admitted this, Socrates said, "Who then,
think you, can believe that there are mules, but not asses"; and
this he said as if he were playing at ball. And what was the ball in
that case? Life, chains, banishment, a draught of poison, separation
from wife and leaving children orphans. These were the things with
which he was playing; but still he did play and threw the ball
skillfully. So we should do: we must employ all the care of the
players, but show the same indifference about the ball. For we ought
by all means to apply our art to some external material, not as
valuing the material, but, whatever it may be, showing our art in
it. Thus too the weaver does not make wool, but exercises his art upon
such as he receives. Another gives you food and property and is able
to take them away and your poor body also. When then you have received
the material, work on it. If then you come out without having suffered
anything, all who meet you will congratulate you on your escape; but
he who knows how to look at such things, if he shall see that you have
behaved properly in the matter, will commend you and be pleased with
you; and if he shall find that you owe your escape to any want of
proper behavior, he will do the contrary. For where rejoicing is
reasonable, there also is congratulation reasonable.
How then is it said that some external things are according to
nature and others contrary to nature? It is said as it might be said
if we were separated from union: for to the foot I shall say that it
is according to nature for it to be clean; but if you take it as a
foot and as a thing not detached, it will befit it both to step into
the mud and tread on thorns, and sometimes to be cut off for the
benefit of the whole body; otherwise it is no longer a foot. We should
think in some way about ourselves also. What are you? A man. If you
consider yourself as detached from other men, it is according to
nature to live to old age, to be rich, to be healthy. But if you
consider yourself as a man and a part of a certain whole, it is for
the sake of that whole that at one time you should be sick, at another
time take a voyage and run into danger, and at another time be in
want, and, in some cases, die prematurely. Why then are you
troubled? Do you not know, that as a foot is no longer a foot if it is
detached from the body, so you are no longer a man if you are
separated from other men. For what is a man? A part of a state, of
that first which consists of Gods and of men; then of that which is
called next to it, which is a small image of the universal state.
"What then must I be brought to trial; must another have a fever,
another sail on the sea, another die, and another be condemned?"
Yes, for it is impossible in such a body, in such a universe of
things, among so many living together, that such things should not
happen, some to one and others to others. It is your duty then,
since you are come here, to say what you ought, to arrange these
things as it is fit. Then some one says, "I shall charge you with
doing me wrong." Much good may it do you: I have done my part; but
whether you also have done yours, you must look to that; for there
is some danger of this too, that it may escape your notice.